Seven people were arrested after a four-day operation targeting organized retail theft at two Victoria's Secret stores.

Loss prevention officers reported 26 separate thefts since July 2015: 18 at Lakeside Village and eight at Eagle Ridge Mall, with a combined loss of about $50,000.

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During the investigation, authorities said, the group of suspects were seen selecting and concealing the merchandise, exiting the business and passing all points of sale without paying for the items. The suspects used a special bag to defeat anti-theft devices typically located at the front doors of the business, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. These bags were in the suspects' possession when they were arrested, officials said.

"It looks like we were able to stop this 'panty raid' just in time," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "These suspects traveled here to Polk County to steal from our merchants, meanwhile some of them are collecting government assistance. They clearly haven't gotten the message that we do not tolerate theft of any kind in our county. If you're going to steal, stay out of Polk County."

Arrested were:

Sherreane Williams, 35, of Tampa, charged with one count of grand theft, one count of petit theft, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Pauline Billups, 42, of Tampa, charged with two counts of grand theft, one count of petit theft, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Tequilla Wilson, 29, of Tampa, charged with one count of grand theft, one count of petit theft, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Shantheia Conner, 29, of Tampa, charged with three counts of grand theft, one count of petit theft, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Donat Simeus Jr., 31, of North Palm Beach, charged with one count of grand theft, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Sheila Wade, 46, of West Palm Beach, charged with one count of grand theft and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Janie Waiters, 43, of West Palm Beach, charged with one count of grand theft and one count of possession of an anti-theft shoplifting device.

Officials said Williams, Billups, Wilson and Conner were arrested at the Eagle Ridge Mall after detectives spotted them stealing pants from Victoria's Secret and perfume, lotion and body spray from Bath & Body Works. The four suspects attempted to flee when confronted by detectives, according to officials.

According to Polk County authorities, Williams told detectives that she was paid $20 to drive the suspects from Tampa to Lake Wales, and Wilson admitted she went to Lake Wales to shoplift but denied stealing anything on that date. Billups and Conner said they steal to support their children, selling the merchandise on the street, officials said.

According to authorities, Williams said she collects $600 in disability benefits, and Wilson, Billups and Conner told detectives they each receive food stamps.

Officials said Simeus, Wade and Waiters left the Eagle Ridge Mall Victoria's Secret with $880 in merchandise. They were intercepted by loss prevention officers and taken into custody by detectives with Polk County and Lake Wales police. According to authorities, Wade told detectives she rode with Simeus and Waiters to steal from the mall because she's having a grandchild and needed money to pay her bills. Polk County officials said Waiters admitted she stole because she needed money, and Simeus did not talk with detectives.

An additional shoplifting suspect, not related to the seven previously mentioned, was arrested during the same time frame. Officials said Steven Henry, 39, of Lake Wales, ran out of the Dillard's at East Ridge Mall with several pairs of jeans. During a traffic stop, a police sergeant found 18 pairs of stolen jeans valued at $1,800 in Henry's car, officials said.